MELBOURNE, Fla. — A special needs sports complex in West Melbourne is facing significant disrepair, leading to the closure of certain areas due to hazardous field conditions.
What You Need To Know
- The Space Coast Field of Dreams, a special needs sports complex in West Melbourne, is facing disrepair
- Mayor Hal Rose says the city has a plan to repair all the damage, but is looking for a long-term fix rather than a quick patch job
- Many parents have spoke out about the lack of care at the facility and safety issues special needs individuals face
The Space Coast Field of Dreams, which has provided opportunities for individuals with special needs to engage in sports activities since its opening in 2016, is now in a state of neglect.
The facility has been a source of joy for athletes like Brittany Klenotich, who has not allowed her cerebral palsy to hinder her passion for sports.
From soccer to baseball and basketball, Brittany has cherished her time at the complex since the age of six.
Brittany's mother Denise used to let her use the facility on her own, but nowadays that's not possible.
Concerns about trip hazards caused by tears in the rubber fields and courts have forced Denise to supervise Brittany closely.
"She cannot walk through here independently like she used to because I have to see where the trip hazards are," Denise said.
The severity of the situation became apparent when the T-ball diamond was closed off due to damage around home plate.
"Anyone with a common eye can see it didn't happen yesterday, it didn't happen a week ago, it didn't happen a month ago, it's happened over the course of three to four years," Denise said.
Denise brought her concerns to Tuesday's West Melbourne city council meeting.
"You have failed the special needs community, and they are here, and they would like to understand how it's gotten that bad, and so would I," Denise told council with her daughter by her side.
Mayor Hal Rose says the city has a plan to repair all the damage, but is looking for a long-term fix rather than a quick patch job.
"(We are) taking all that rubberized surface out and getting a good estimate on re-doing everything, and starting from scratch," Mayor Rose said at the meeting.
That could cost upwards of $700,000, but the mayor says the city has the money to do it.
A timeframe hasn't been decided.
Denise just hopes the park where her daughter and other special needs people have enjoyed will be a safe space once again.
"I'm going to hold them accountable, and i hope the community will be at every meeting now," she says.
The city took over the operation and maintenance of the Field of Dreams back in 2019.
The mayor says the T-ball field is expected to reopen with the temporary repairs in a couple of days.